OpenAI is reportedly exploring the possibility of incorporating advertisements into its business model, Financial Times reported.
CFO Sarah Friar confirmed that the company is considering the idea of introducing ads but emphasized that any such move would be approached cautiously, ensuring that ads are integrated thoughtfully and carefully in terms of timing and placement.
However, she also clarified in a follow-up statement that OpenAI has “no active plans” to pursue advertising at this time. Despite this, the idea appears to be under serious consideration, especially following the recent hiring of Shivakumar Venkataraman, a former Google executive with extensive experience in advertising.
So far, OpenAI has relied primarily on subscription models to fund the development of its generative AI tools.
However, the substantial costs associated with building and running these advanced AI models have raised questions about the long-term sustainability of relying solely on subscription fees.
As OpenAI continues to expand its operations, the need for additional revenue streams has become more pressing, especially as investors may have limited patience for mounting costs without alternative funding sources.
Despite these financial pressures, OpenAI founder Sam Altman has expressed discomfort with the idea of integrating ads into the platform.
In a recent discussion at Harvard Business School, Altman was asked whether OpenAI might adopt advertising as a way to broaden access. He responded that while it could be a “last resort,” he finds the combination of ads and AI “uniquely unsettling.” He further stated, “I’m not saying OpenAI would never consider ads, but I don’t like them in general.”
